Dictionary — Entry No. 0159
싫어
sirheo · adjective
싫어
sirheo
[SHIL-uh]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
Sirheo (싫어) is the casual present-tense form of 싫다 (silhda), meaning ‘I don’t like it,’ ‘I don’t want to,’ or ‘No way.’ It expresses dislike, refusal, or aversion and is one of the most emotionally charged negative expressions in Korean. In K-dramas it frequently appears in defiant pushback scenes or petulant lovers’ quarrels.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
In ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ Jan-di’s repeated ‘싫어!’ directed at Gu Jun-pyo became iconic — her battle cry for self-respect against an overbearing chaebol heir. Stray Kids channel raw rejection and resistance throughout their discography, and the blunt emotional texture of 싫어 suits their intense performance style. The word’s unvarnished refusal energy makes it a fan favorite for reaction clips and relatable meme culture.
Example Sentences
싫어! 절대 안 해.
Sirheo! Jeoldae an hae.
No way! I absolutely won’t do it. (firm, almost theatrical refusal — classic drama heroine energy)
나는 거짓말하는 사람이 싫어.
Naneun geojitmal haneun sarami sirheo.
I dislike people who lie. (a calm but cutting statement of values, not a heated outburst)
이 음식은 싫어요.
I eumsigеun sirheoyo.
I don’t like this food. (polite form with 요 — safe to use with anyone, reduces the word’s blunt edge)
⚠️ Don’t use sirheo when…
1) 싫어 is casual speech — saying it to a teacher, boss, or elder is shockingly rude. Always use the polite 싫어요 (sirheoyo) or formal 싫습니다 (silseumnida) in respectful contexts. 2) International fans confuse 싫어 (dislike / I don’t want to) with 미워 (miweo), but 미워 implies personal hurt or hatred directed at someone, carrying a far stronger emotional sting.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Boys Over Flowers — Jan-di’s defiant ‘싫어!’ rejections of Gu Jun-pyo are among the most replayed moments in early K-drama fandom history, cementing the word as a symbol of standing your ground.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — Miroh (미로)
💡 Did You Know? Korean has a beloved drama trope where a character says ‘싫어, 근데 좋아’ (‘I hate it, but I like you’) — the pairing of 싫어 and 좋아 in one breath is shorthand for tsundere love and fans spot it instantly.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.